Tucked away at the end of the Castle Arcade, this slightly grubby, overwhelmingly charming lunchtime gem serves authentic Italian food in a tiny restaurant space, with a takeaway hatch selling freshly prepared pizza slippers for diners on the go.
Surviving many rounds of city-centre redevelopment and now awash in a sea of blandly sterile coffee-chain franchises, Cafe Minuet is a welcome reminder of what a dash of personality can add to a dining experience - from the pictures of Italian opera singers that adorn the walls, to the owner who can be found most days belting out his own performance of the classics in the kitchen.
The decor in the restaurant is now a little shabby, but the rather tatty plastic checked tablecloths only add to the unpretentious retro appeal. The food, however, is wonderful, from delectable pizza with gobs of molten buffalo mozzarella to freshly made pasta dishes, the menu, while not extensive, makes up for quantity with the quality of the Italian classics on offer. Moderately priced too, this is well worh seeking out for a lunch treat. read more